Mandated books and the feelings behind them

To kill a mockingbird, The Lord of the Flies, Frankenstein and The Catcher in the Rye are just three of the timeless classics students are expected to read throughout their grade school education.

But what happens when these classics become too classic? It’s not to say that they’re not good reads, but what if students don’t want to learn about what happened on a deserted island occupied by children?

Mariah Senecal of Scotia-Glenville high school is thankful for mandated classics reading. She said, “Classic novels are imperative to a developing mind.”

She believes that on her own, she would have never chosen books like Hamlet and Frankenstein but she expects to be challenged. In connection to her point on being challenged, “Who would want to sit in a classroom reading boring books with vocabulary suited for a 12-year-old?”

She’s got a point, why not challenge yourself while you’re still able to?

“Well, I would like to pick a book that I enjoy reading,” said Ben Sponable, a student at Schalmont High school. Although he’s definitely into the whole “pick your own book” category, he still says he believes that there is a reason most classics are chosen.

Making the valid argument of slacking off, Ben said, “If it were up to the students they would all choose low level reading(Twilight *cough cough*).”

To tell you about life in England, Anthony Baum volunteered to explain the ways of the English when speaking about mandated classics.

“It’s up to the teachers as to what books we get to read,” said Anthony as he explains how mandated books apply to his schooling. He said,”There are certain criteria, for example, there has to be one Shakespeare play, one post 1935 novel, one pre 1935 novel, and a modern play. But apart from that the teachers can choose what they want.”

In his opinion,”Its good in a way that the teachers can teach you to the best of their ability, but if you really don’t like the book, e.g. I hated The Catcher in the Rye, you dont put your full effort into it”

So, do you think there should be required readings for schools in America or should it be more lenient like in England?